16 Tips in Exploring Tanjung Puting National Park

I have been invited to attend Familiarization Trip Tanjung Puting National Park. And I’m SO GOING!

Tanjung Puting National Park is one of the natural wonders of the world and one of 20 Best National Parks in Indonesia for 2012. The purity of the air, the openness of the night sky with the most remarkable view of the Milky Way, the magnificence and dignity of the gentle orangutans, the thundering downpours that instantly cool the air, and the clarity of the brilliant crimson sunsets. Exotic!

Tanjung Puting is covered by a complex mosaic of diverse lowland habitats. The best known animals in Tanjung Puting are the orangutans, made famous through the long-term efforts of the Orangutan Research and Conservation Program (predecessor to OFI), based at the landmark Camp Leakey research station.

Before exploring Tanjung Puting National Park, tourists will get detail explanations from the ranger of Tanjung Puting National Park, as there are regulations must be adhered in exploring the region.

Here are 16 tips should be considered when exploring Tanjung Puting National Park:

1. Silence please! Respect the Orangutans

2. If you go into the forest you must be accompanied by an assistant or a guide. Ranger. Make sure you are always with the ranger when exploring Tanjung Puting National Park. The ranger has enough experience in dealing with the Orangutans.

3. For your safety and the safety of other. Please keep a safe distance from the Orangutans (approximately 5 meters)

4. Please do not eat or drink in front of the Orangutans. Keep food and drinks in your bags.

5. Please do not touch or disturb the Orangutans

6. Never stand between a male and a female Orangutan

7. Do not approach or climb on the feeding platform

8. Please take your rubbish with you

9. Keep walking in group. When you do trekking, make sure you always walk in your group.

10. Avoid lighting a fire. Do not smoke or light a fire in the Tanjung Puting National Park area. It could flame and ruin the beauty of exotic rainforest in the area. The park’s are vulnerable to flame because of their dry and barren.

11. Cloth. Cotton wearing that absorbs sweat and convenient to use is advisable to wear when trekking in the area. The sun is very hot and the air is too wet. Do not forget to use mosquito repellent cream or spray and a hat when you are exploring Tanjung Puting National Park. To get comfort in trekking, mountain sandals or sneakers are likely used.

12. Souvenirs. Bold buying souvenirs in your agenda as it can help local community economic development and contribute to the conservation of national park. You can buy Orangutan-shaped wooden sculpture in various sizes, Orangutan tee, and other wood carvings.

13. Good acting, their silence just a deception. If you encounter a lazing Orangutan, you must be in careful. It is good in acting; the Orangutans look cute, but they’re strong animals who will grab your camera, bag, or anything else that is hanging off your body.

14. Visitor are reminded no to swim in the park’s rivers. There are lots of Crocodiles

15. Visitor who wish to plant a tree can add their names to a placard beside the tree, allowing them to see their tree’s growth on future visit.

16. Keep packaging of toiletries to an absolute minimum. Pack a bar of organic and biodegradable soap in a soap box. This will save space in your bag, help you pack light and reduce water pollution.

Tom (a king of the Orangutans at Camp Leakey), you stole my heart.

A big thank you to Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, Indonesia.travel, and the others for the excellent trip.

So, free to comment and add some of your tips when exploring Tanjung Puting National Park.